Norwalk approves transfer of three leases at 3 Belden Avenue after city purchase

The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a motion to enter new lease agreements for three tenant spaces at 3 Belden Avenue after the city acquired the property from prior public owners.

The lease approvals, presented by Sabrina Gadesky, director of business development and tourism for the City of Norwalk, transfer existing tenant agreements that had been held by a mix of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and the First Taxing District to the city. Gadesky said the leases “honor the $4.50 rate that is consistent throughout all of our other leases of city property.”

Gadesky told the commission the tenants already occupy the property and the action formalizes the city as the landlord. She identified the occupants as the Makers Guild, the Redevelopment Agency, the Hispanic Chamber and the NAACP. Commissioners asked for clarification that the city now owns the property and that the redevelopment agency had previously been the master tenant; Gadesky confirmed the city now holds title and will lease directly to each organization.

Commissioners conducted a roll-call vote after a motion and second; all voting members present recorded “yes.” The approval updates the lease records following the city’s acquisition and aligns the three leases with the city’s standard lease terms.

The commission did not change rents or tenant space configurations tonight; staff said floor plans and memos documenting the math for the $4.50 rate had been provided to commissioners before the vote.

The move completes the administrative step needed so the city can manage the property and continue occupancy by the existing organizations.